This past Saturday, Angela Ragno and I spent a very afternoon at Disney-MGM Studio theme park. While we were in the park, we got Jason Surrell to sign Angela’s copy of his great “The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies” book.
Photo by Jeff Lange
We also peeked through the construction fence and got a look at the entrance of the soon-to-be-opening “Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” walk-through exhibit.
Photo by Jeff Lange
Angela and I also saw the most controversial feature at the studio theme park: The nude version of the studio arch …
Photo by Jeff Lange
You know? That thing that used to be emblazoned with the “Disney-MGM” name?
Now some folks are saying that the reason that this portion of the arch has been left blank for the past few weeks is because the Walt Disney Company really is getting ready to remove the “MGM” name from the studio theme park. While still others are suggesting that this area on the arch is being left blank because … Well … In the wake of that series of hurricanes that recently passed through Central Florida, WDW’s maintenance staff has more pressing matters to take care of. And that — when they finally get a free moment — they’ll put the Disney-MGM name back up on the studio archway.
Me personally? I don’t know what exactly is going on with the MGM renaming thing. Other than to say that — if the Walt Disney Company actually does get serious about removing all references to “MGM” from the studio theme park, it’s really going to be one hell of a job.
By that I mean: The MGM name seems to be everywhere in that theme park. It’s on things that are as small as the info tags that you’ll find scattered throughout the “One Man’s Dream” exhibit …
Photo by Jeff Lange
… to things as big as billboards.
Photo by Jeff Lange
It’s on guard shacks …
Photo by Jeff Lange
And topiaries! The one that are shaped like the Earful Tower …
Photo by Jeff Lange
… as well as the one that’s shaped like everyone’s favorite mouse.
Photo by Jeff Lange
And these are just the most obvious examples that I found on my most recent trip to the studio theme park. I’m sure that there are hundreds — maybe even thousands! — of less obvious uses of the MGM name & logo stashed away in this theme park.
Which is why I think that — if the Walt Disney Company ever actually does get serious about removing all the MGMs from the studio theme park — that this won’t be a job that cast members can actually accomplish in a single night. That it may take them weeks to find all of the places that the Imagineers stashed the MGM logo.
Or do I have this wrong? What do you folks think? Could the Walt Disney Company actually pull all the references to MGM out of the studio theme park in a single night?
More importantly, do you think that there’s any credence to the rumor that the Mouse will officially be changing the name of the studio theme park from Disney-MGM to just plain Disney Studios on January 1st?
If so, let us know your thoughts on JHM’s discussion boards.
Jeff Lange is the staff photographer / archivist here at JHM. He recently released his very first DVD, “Jeff Lange’s Trick or Treat.” Which offers full coverage of last year’s “Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party” at WDW’s Magic Kingdom. If you’d like to learn more about this entertaining recording, we suggest that you follow this link.